U.S. Ambassador D. Brent Hardt last Wednesday handed over a cheque for GY$8,967,387 to Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh for emergency services, which will be used specifically to purchase an ambulance for Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice).

According to a press release from the U.S. Embassy, it is at the ministry’s request and by agreement between the Governments of Guyana and the US, that these funds will be used to assist with the purchase of the ambulance, for which a provision was made under the Guyana 2013 National Budget.
The ambulance will be deployed to provide public health services in the outlying areas of the region including Great Falls, Number 48 Miles, Number 58 Miles, and Mabura Hill.
At the handing over ceremony Hardt pointed out that this contribution complements ongoing U.S. development assistance provided to Guyana’s health sector, including in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment.
The release noted that this support, while targeted primarily at combating HIV and AIDS, helps strengthen the entire health sector, including the supply chain management for drugs and other health care commodities, blood safety, injection safety and laboratory improvements.
The donation precedes a medical outreach to Region 10, coordinated through the U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP), which will provide general medical assistance to individuals in that region.
The funding for the ambulance was made available through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Finance Ministry will finalise arrangements for its purchase and handing over to the Region’s administration.